After my little trip to the adventurers' guild with Rofland, I came to a rather disappointing conclusion:There are very few skilled adventurers in this region. Or maybe even in this whole country.
Then again, I guess it's the same in every world. A lot of people chase the same path, but only a handful are actually good at it.
Finding people who can genuinely be assets to the territory... is going to be tough.
By the time we returned to the mansion, I just wanted to take a bath and collapse in bed. My ears were ringing from all the nonsense I had to listen to at the guild. Add to that my failed mission of finding talent?
Yeah. Today was draining.
As I was walking down the hallway, a maid approached.
"Young master, the master and mistress are waiting for you in the main hall. We have guests."
She bowed with elegance and respect. I'm still not used to all this noble etiquette. Coming from a modern world, being addressed like some medieval young lord feels strange. But I guess I'll get used to it.
"Guests?" I asked. "Who are they?"
"They're a noble family. From what I know, they have a long and friendly history with the House of Aldehrt."
"Got it. Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be there in a few minutes—just need to freshen up. Can't greet guests looking like this, right?"
"As you wish, young master. I'll let the master know."
Hmm… guests from another noble house?
Wait, now that I think about it, my parents had mentioned a family with equal influence—the House of Veloras.
They've come up in conversations quite a few times. Apparently, they have a child around my age, and once I turned five, there was supposed to be a formal meeting between the two families.
Welp. Guess it's time.
I cleaned up quickly and made my way to the main hall. Wouldn't be nice to keep both families waiting.
When I stepped in, I saw four people sitting around a large table. Two of them were obviously my parents. The other couple looked majestic—elegant clothes, noble posture, and expressions that screamed "important people."
"Oh! Steve, welcome," my father said cheerfully. "We've been waiting for you. Come, greet our esteemed guests."
Dad looked way too excited for this.
Still, I walked forward, stood in front of the guests, and bowed politely in the noble etiquette I'd been taught.
"Well met, my lord and lady. I am Steve Aldehrt. It is my honor to make your acquaintance."
"Haha! Robert, he really takes after his mother. So well-mannered."
"Oi! What do you mean by that, huh!?" my dad snapped playfully.
"Oh, come on, you two. At least don't start your childish banter in front of the kids!"
"Yes, please show some basic decency," my mom added, chuckling.
Well, that confirmed it—our families are really close.
Wait… kids?
Oh, right—they have a child too. My parents had mentioned that—
"Hi Steve!! Nice to meet you! My name is Lealaine. Will you be my friend!?"
And there she was.
Their daughter.
...A detail my dad conveniently forgot to mention.
I glanced at him, and he was smiling like he had just pulled off the greatest surprise party in history.
Hahh... My dad, man.
"Hi Lealaine. I'd love to be friends with you."
"Yes!! Let's be friends from now on!"
She said it with a pure, glowing smile that could melt the coldest heart.
Well... I did need more friends my age. Even if my mental age is way older than my body.
"Good, Lealaine. Now you have a friend," her mother said warmly.
"Yes, Mother!"
Hmm... looks like she's had trouble making friends before. Probably a shy, quiet type?
Typical introvert.
(Not that I can say anything—I was one too.)
But as the evening went on, I realized something...
She never stopped talking.
Like—never.
She was a chatterbox. Non-stop questions. Random facts. Her favorite foods. Her dreams. Her hobbies. I barely even spoke, and she filled every second with excitement.
…Okay, maybe not a full introvert.
More like an ambivert—shy around strangers but turns into a talking tornado once she's comfortable.
Either way, I didn't mind.
At least I made a friend. Someone who might be important in the future.
Even if I don't know how to be friends with a little girl just yet... I'll try my best.
So I can be the kind of friend she deserves.